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Digital Imaging Adoption Model

DIAM: A strategic roadmap to digital imaging maturity

In the complex and continuously evolving environment of hospital imaging departments and imaging centres there is a distinct need to deliver medical imaging securely, through the right channel, with the right context, at the right time to the right person. Numerous changes from the move to value-based care and increased use of mobile devices impact the way we use digital imaging.

DIAM allows you to identify and adopt the right digital strategy and improve health outcomes for patients.

Healthcare Provider Tools

Analytics and Personalised Medicine Capabilities

For Stages 5-7, these specialised stages can be adopted in any order

Clinical, organisational, and financial KPIs are systematically tracked, benchmarked (internally and externally) and can be presented in real-time through Dashboards, Balanced Scorecards etc. The organisation uses internal and external data for making predictions about needed therapies and examinations, follow-up measures etc. Diagnostic procedures are optimised by taking patient characteristics into account, such as contrast media dosage based on weight or ionising radiation based on age, but also in terms of using genetic information from patients that is correlated with imaging biomarkers. Theranostic agents might be in use. System use statistics as well as clinician activities are captured and analysed in order to influence user behaviour.

Clinical Decision Support and Value-Based Imaging

For Stages 5-7, these specialised stages can be adopted in any order

Software is capable to provide feedback about the appropriateness of a requested examination, based on patient preconditions, history and approved guidelines. Alternative examinations and suggestions for standardized care practices / best-practice guidelines are directly integrated into the electronic workflow. Computer-aided detection and diagnoses (CAD), Advanced Visualisation or similar tools are in use. High levels of structured and coded content of imaging reports are achieved (e.g. according to standardized terminology such as CDA level 2 and 3 and/or with support of natural language processing). The organisation participates in regional, national or international registries in order to track patient safety related information for Imaging (e.g. radiation dosage).

Advanced HIE and Patient Engagement

For Stages 5-7, these specialised stages can be adopted in any order

​Images and reports can be exchanged with care organisations of all types (i.e. primary, secondary, tertiary care etc.), ranging from local, regional or even country-wide HIEs based on recognised standards. The software used in imaging supports the organisation and documentation of Multidisciplinary Team Meetings (MDTs). Patients/Citizens can make appointments, access reports and images as well as educational content – specific to their individual situation – online.

Fully Integrated and Digitised Image Management

The organisation makes some use of structured reporting tools and standards that potentially can support semantic interoperability and trigger relevant events (alerts, notifications, orders, guidelines etc.). It is able to exchange images and reports seamlessly and securely throughout their own enterprise and with (at least selected) external organisations. Practitioners are able to access medical images securely from remote locations. Report validation workflows are completely managed (and documented) electronically. Substance administration is fully tracked (if relevant).

Workflow and Process Security

Technology supports that the right patients receive the right examinations and that clinicians get access to the right images for the right patient at the right time, in the right format and context (e.g. based on DICOM, or similar, Presentation States and Key Objects). An electronic system for critical results notification is in place. Quality and financial parameters related to department /service are measured and under control. Medical knowledge databases/libraries dedicated to imaging are available directly through the main user interface that is used by imaging professionals in the department/service. Radiation/Substance exposure for patients is at least partially monitored and automatically alerted.

Imaging IT Infrastructure Available Enterprise-Wide

The majority of images and reports, created in the department / service being assessed, can be exchanged at enterprise level. External images can be imported to the organisation’s image management system for clinician access (if policy allows).

Imaging IT Infrastructure Available In One Service Area

Key medical imaging information systems are installed for managing orders, reports and image archiving electronically, at least inside the department/service. A supply and inventory management system, supporting the maintenance of inventory and consumables within the department / service, may also be in place.

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